By Drew Wilson

Raiders reach back to the past, name Curtis Hunt GM

Jun 8, 2015 | 1:49 PM

“I was given the opportunity to begin my career in Prince Albert … and I can’t wait for the journey ahead.”

And on Monday, former Prince Albert Raiders player Curtis Hunt began his journey as the team’s new general manager.

Hunt was a Raider defenceman for three years and a member of the 1985 Memorial Cup championship team. The 48-year-old spoke about adding banners to the rafters of the rink he affectionately referred to as  the “Plex” (The Communiplex, which is now called the Art Hauser Centre), and  championship rings.

The job as general manager a new role for Hunt, who brings 12 years of coaching experience to the job, including eight seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw and Regina. Hunt’s coaching resume includes the NHL and AHL, in addition to four stints with Team Canada at the youth, under-18 and junior levels.  He comes to Prince Albert after recording a 31-23-6 record with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he was also general manager. The Barons also hosted the Western Canada Cup.

Hunt said his first task is to become familiar with the organization’s hockey and business operations in addition to getting to know the staff. He said when it comes to putting the best possible team on the ice, his job is to be a facilitator working closely with head coach Marc Habscheid.

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“My job will be to support Marc and his staff… I just want to be a resource for Marc and what he needs,” said Hunt.  “I think I can support his group (associate coach Dave Manson and assistant Kelly Guard). I think it’s going to be a change, but it will be nice just to step back and watch it unfold from a different level.”

Hunt started his coaching career two years after retiring as a player in 1996. However, he is comfortable with the full-time transition to the front office. The Raiders have two proven goaltenders in Nick McBride and Rylan Parenteau, in addition to 2014 first-round draft choice Ian Scott and the recently signed Curtis Meger of the Regina Pat Canadians. There is already speculation the team will move one of their goaltenders to add experience either up front or on the back line.

However, Hunt said don’t expect any moves until training camp at the earliest.

“I probably preach patience more than anything else. I think it’s more important to get my head around all of the processes including the team. I guess we will get to camp, get the opinion of our hockey ops staff and we will make some decisions as we move forward.”

Although there was a formal interview in front of a five member panel, including Raider board members, Hunt described the hiring process as a casual set of conversations with President Dale McFee as they talked “like a pair of hockey guys”.

McFee said Hunt aced the interview process and isn’t concerned with his lack of experience as a general manager.  

“He ran his own business, Investors Group for a few years, as well he knows his financial numbers. It’s the business of hockey but it’s like any other business, you have structure, you have process and you add some value to that through some new ideas and innovation, ” said McFee,  Hunt’s teammate on the 1985 Memorial Cup championship team said there are other reasons he is a good fit for the organization.

“Curtis is a guy that knows all of our staff, either coached with them, knows them, knows the scouting staff, even knows some of our business staff, so he was just the natural choice to compliment and supplement and actually add value through the process.”

The Raider alumnus has signed a four-year contract, the same length as head coach Marc Habscheid and associate coach Dave Manson. The theme for the day was building for the future by reaching back into the past. Hunt couldn’t help but feel nostalgic when he walked back into the building Monday morning.

“It was pretty exciting when I drove up… a great flood of emotion. I’d love to track down my billets, I’d like to do that before I leave.”

Habscheid, Manson, Guard and director of player personnel Dale Derkatch , as well as other staff and board members were on hand for the announcement.

McFee feels the organization now has quality and stability with its hockey operations staff moving forward. Hunt’s first priorities will be getting 2015 top draft choices Cole Fonstad, Carson Miller and Spencer Moe signed to contracts as well as working with Derkatch on the CHL Import Draft which takes place in three weeks.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter:  @RaidersVoice